M. Dale Sowers

M. Dale “Candy Man” Sowers, age 83, of Elkhart was carried away by angels to meet his Lord and Savior on Sunday, March 6, 2022 at Elkhart General Hospital. Dale was born to James and Lunar Sowers on April 20, 1938 in Jonesboro, Louisiana. He married the love of his life Virginia “Ginny” Mater on February 11, 1977 at the Church of God in Elkhart.

Dale honorably served his country in the United States Air Force. Dale worked for Joe Bailey Construction; his favorite was doing remodeling jobs from start to finish. This career path allowed him to help with Habitat for Humanity in building homes for families in need. He enjoyed working with his wife by his side in places such as Eagle Butte, South Dakota with the former United States President Jimmy Carter also in Wyoming and Florida or anyplace they could take their motor coach. Dale also worked on several missions’ trips to Moldova and Mexico. For many years he delivered Meals on Wheels in the Elkhart and Jimtown area. He never knew a stranger. Dale’s legacy was truly that of a loving, husband, father, brother and friends, he loved people and loved to see them smile especially when he gave them a handful of candy. The neighbor children knew of his home as a safe haven, a place to come and be surrounded by friendship, kindness a big smile and a handful of candy.

Dale is survived by his wife of 45 years Ginny Sowers, children Mark (Rose) Hostetler of Elkhart, Bryce (Toni) Hostetler of Jones, MI., Dan (Cathi) Smith of Elkhart, Stephen Kreis of Tennessee; grandchildren Mark Hostetler, Aaron (Sarah) Hostetler, Chad Hostetler, Andrea Hostetler, Trinity Hostetler, Kristy (Carl) Ruminski, Tyler McIntire, Matthew (Breanna) Smith and Kristin (Jeremy) Smith; 19 great-grandchildren; and his sister Lorene Maxwell. Dale was preceded in death by his parents, his grandson Adam Hostetler; his brothers George, Harvey, Cecil, James, Carles, Loyd Sowers and his sisters Myrtleine Beach, Mary McFarland and Nellie Wilks.

Funeral services will be held at 6 pm on Sunday, March 13, 2022 at Grace Bible Church, 1700 Edwardsburg Ave., Elkhart, IN 46514 with visitation from 4-6 pm. Pastor Kyle Grant will officiate. Graveside services with military honors will be at 2pm on Monday, March 14, 2022 at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Osceola, IN 46561. Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46514 is assisting the Sowers family. Memorial donations may be made to Grace Bible Church or Habitat for Humanity www.habitat.org online condolences may be made to the family at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com

If you would like to gift fully prepared meals to the family during this difficult time, please click on this link: https://www.memorialmeals.com/sendmeals/103702/sendmeals